REGULATIONS

Vol. 29 Iss. 6 - November 19, 2012

REGISTRAR'S NOTICE: The State Board of Social Services has claimed an exemption from the Administrative Process Act in accordance with § 2.2-4006 A 4 a of the Code of Virginia, which excludes regulations that are necessary to conform to changes in Virginia statutory law or the appropriation act where no agency discretion is involved. The State Board of Social Services will receive, consider, and respond to petitions by any interested person at any time with respect to reconsideration or revision.

The amendment is a result of recodified sections of the Code of Virginia by the 2012 Acts of Assembly. Section 37.2-1000 et seq. of Chapter 10 of Title 37.2 of the Code of Virginia is recodified to § 64.2-2000 et seq. of Chapter 20 of Title 64.2 of the Code of Virginia.

A. An assessment narrative shall be required for all adult protective services investigations and shall be titled "Adult Protective Services Assessment Narrative." The narrative must address, but is not limited to, the following:

1. Allegations in the report or circumstances discovered during the investigation that meet the definitions of abuse, neglect or exploitation.

2. The extent to which the adult is physically, emotionally and mentally capable of making and carrying out decisions concerning his health and well-being.

3. The risk of serious harm to the adult.

4. The need for an immediate response by the adult protective services worker upon receipt of a valid report.

5. The ability to conduct a private interview with the alleged victim, the alleged perpetrator (if known) and any collateral contacts having knowledge of the case.

B. After investigating the report, the adult protective services worker must review and evaluate the facts collected and make a disposition as to whether the adult is in need of protective services and, if so, what services are needed.

C. The disposition that the adult needs protective services shall be based on the preponderance of evidence that abuse, neglect or exploitation has occurred or that the adult is at risk of abuse, neglect or exploitation.

D. Possible dispositions.

1. Needs protective services. This disposition shall be used when:

a. A review of the facts shows a preponderance of evidence that adult abuse, neglect or exploitation has occurred or is occurring;

b. A review of the facts shows a preponderance of evidence that the adult is at risk of abuse, neglect or exploitation and needs protective services in order to reduce that risk;

c. The adult consents to receive services pursuant to § 63.2-1610 of the Code of Virginia; or

d. Involuntary services are ordered by the court pursuant to § 63.2-1609 or Article 1 (§ 37.2-1000 et seq.) of Chapter 10 of Title 37.2(§ 64.2-2000 et seq.) of Chapter 20 of Title 64.2 of the Code of Virginia.

2. Needs protective services and refuses. This disposition shall be used when:

a. A review of the facts shows a preponderance of evidence that adult abuse, neglect or exploitation has occurred or is occurring or the adult is at risk of abuse, neglect and exploitation; and

b. The adult refuses or withdraws consent to accept protective services pursuant to § 63.2-1610 of the Code of Virginia.

3. Need for protective services no longer exists. This disposition shall be used when the subject of the report no longer needs protective services. A review of the facts shows a preponderance of evidence that adult abuse, neglect or exploitation has occurred. However, at the time the investigation is initiated or during the course of the investigation, the adult who is the subject of the report ceases to be at risk of further abuse, neglect or exploitation.

4. Unfounded. This disposition shall be used when review of the facts does not show a preponderance of evidence that abuse, neglect or exploitation occurred or that the adult is at risk of abuse, neglect or exploitation.

E. The investigation shall be completed and a disposition assigned by the local department within 45 days of the date the report was received. If the investigation is not completed within 45 days, the record shall document reasons.

F. A notice of the completion of the investigation must be made in writing and shall be mailed to the reporter within 10 working days of the completion of the investigation.

G. The Adult Protective Services Program shall respect the rights of adults with capacity to consider options offered by the program and refuse services, even if those decisions do not appear to reasonably be in the best interests of the adult.